Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I support the calls for the implementation of the Education (Welfare) Act and to have the officers working as soon as possible. When the legislation was passed in the Oireachtas, I understood the officers would be working from July of last year. As Senator Fitzgerald said, it is regrettable that they are working in their offices but not on the ground. When the legislation comes into effect, I hope the local committees will be incorporated in the system and their local knowledge used by the education welfare officers when they take up their positions.